Have you ever felt like you're on the outside looking in—wondering if God has overlooked you?

When Heaven Came Close

Heaven’s First Invitation

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14 (NIV)

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.” John 1:14 (MSG)

God Meets Us in the Ordinary

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them.” Luke 2:8-9 (NIV).

"Christ was not only born on the level of the world, but even lower than the world… The hands that had made the sun and stars were too small to reach the huge heads of the cattle. God was a baby." — G.K. Chesterton

“Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?” Psalm 113:5-6 (NIV)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Micah 5:2 (NIV)

God’s“energetic action” takes “from the midst of the world… those individuals whom no one judged worthy of attention and made them the bearers of His kingdom.” — Anthony C. Thiselton

“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… the weak… the lowly… so that no one may boast before Him” 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NIV)

“The shepherds were not looking for a Saviour. They were looking out for sheep. They were not religious men. They were working men... God speaks to us in our work, not just in our worship.” — Frederick Buechner

God’s Grace Speaks to Our Fear

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

“The shepherds had no performance to offer, so they were the perfect candidates for grace.” — Brennan Manning. (The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out)

The Sign of the Servant King

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 (NIV)

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped…” Luke 2:12 (NIV)

‣        At His birth: “She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger.” Luke 2:7 (NIV)

‣        At the Last Supper: “He wrapped a towel around His waist.” John 13:4 (NIV)

‣        After the cross: “Joseph… wrapped the body in linen cloth.” Mark 15:46 (NIV)

“The manger is the sign that God’s victory will be won through self-giving love, not force.” — N.T. Wright

Responding To The Saviour

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened…” Luke 2:15 (NIV)

“Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” — Oswald Chambers

“When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child.” Luke 2:17 (NIV)

“They were unschooled, ordinary men… and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (NIV).

“Today… a Saviour has been born to you.” Luke 2:11 (NIV)